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BTU - BRANDENBURGISCHE TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITäT COTTBUS Program Level: Undergraduate/Graduate Number of Weeks/Term: 17 |
- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Germany
Germany is one of the world's leading industrialized countries. Located in Europe, it is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Germany is a democratic parliamentary federal republic, made up of 16 states, which in certain spheres act independently of the federation. Germany was unified as a nation state during the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.
The Federal Republic of Germany is a member state of the United Nations, NATO, the G8 and the G4 nations, and is a founding member of the European Union. It is the European Union's most populous and economically most powerful member state.
Cottbus
Cottbus is a city in Brandenburg, Germany, situated around 125 km southeast of Berlin on the Spree river. From 1949 until German Reunification in 1990 Cottbus belonged to the German Democratic Republic.
Located between Berlin and Dresden in the state of Brandenburg, Cottbus prides itself on being a "green" city. The area boasts a number of lovely parks and well-maintained gardens, including Branitz Park. Prince Pückler, a member of the royal Branitz family native to the area, transformed the family estate into a well-manicured, sumptuous garden. Guests can tour the gardens and visit the Branitz castle. Guests to the area can refresh themselves at one of the many local pubs or cafes, being sure to order an authentic "Würstchen" (German sausage).
PROGRAM DATES
Spring Term: late April - late July
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring semester only.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2006
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The Brandenburg Technical University (BTU) was founded in 1991 as the only technical university in the State of Brandenburg. The BTU assumes a special responsibility for the promotion of economic development in the State of Brandenburg- particularly for the parts of the state which are remote from Berlin. The BTU functions as an innovative element in a cross-border region which must be reorganized and also as an initiator and co-designer of structural changes to the regional economy.
Key data as of December 2006 / January 2007:
-4,657 students (including 1,096 foreign students)
-950 employees financed through the state budget (including 122 professors and 313 scientific co-workers)
-185 employees financed through third-party funds
The BTU Cottbus views itself as a site for ambitious research and research-based instruction. On this note the BTU has formulated the following concept:
-A focus on high-profile future-oriented themes
-Effective safeguarding of the scientific potential through the integration of applied research with basic research
-Goal-oriented support for young scientists
-The consequent internationalization of research and instruction
Welcome information for International Exchange Students to BTU: click here
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Architecture
- German
Course Information
For detailed course information: click here
Language Information
The courses and studios are offered in English.
Although students study in English on this program, BTU recommends that all students have at least a basic understanding of German, such as the 1000 level. BTU offers exchange students intensive German Language Courses at the beginning of each semester and it is recommended that students participate. Top
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions click here
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
BTU uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
BTU uses the standard German grading system listed below:
BTU Grade = US Grade
1.0 - 2.7 = A
2.8 - 3.9 = B
4.0 - 4.9 = C
5/6 = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COSTS
Semester Program participants must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) created the Undergraduate Scholarship Program to support undergraduate US and Canadian students interested in studying, doing research, or completing an internship in Germany. The scholarship review committee is looking for students who are currently Sophomores or Juniors in any academic field, are seeking DAAD support for a 4-10 month period in Germany during the German academic year, and demonstrate an interest in contemporary German and European affairs and who explain the significance of their project in Germany to their future studies, research or professional goals. The application deadline is generally in late January for the following academic year. More information about this scholarship opportunity is available on the DAAD web site: click here
The currency in Germany is the Euro (EUR). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Following are cost estimates for one semester at BTU that may help you prepare for your term abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $818 Books and Supplies $240 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $1,107 Roundtrip Airfare $1,000 Room and Board $2,100 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $8,450 (in state) $8,700(out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
The BTU Cottbus is a comparatively small University with plenty of dormitory space on campus. You can choose between 8 dormitories, operated by the Studentenwerk Frankfurt, Oder. Below you find the Link to their web pages, where you can obtain more specific information. Please apply directly at the Studentenwerk Frankfurt, Oder:
Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder)
Student Living Departement Cottbus
Juri-Gagarin-Str. 8
03046 Cottbus
web site: click here
For more information on on-campus or off-campus housing options: click here
Meals
INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Life at BTU
The university offers many student clubs and organizations, as well as events and excursions. Most of the clubs hand notices on the information boards around campus, otherwise, you will find additional information on the internet pages of the BTU.
The variety of the student clubs and organizations is broad, so everyone can find something interesting according to their taste. There are for example:
University choir
The Guild of the student-carnival-activists
ERM Cultural Nights at the club Babel
Campus TV
'Bühne 8' (student theater)
Further Information regarding clubs, projects, and cultural offers can be found at the home page: click here
Sports Clubs
Furthermore, you have the possibility to do sports. You can choose from a variety of over 45 different types of sports. For example, Asian kickboxing, volleyball, soccer, handball, basketball, baseball, aerobics, climbing, Alpine skiing, tennis and much more. You can register for a course (10 EUR per semester) at the University Sports Department: click here
CLIMATE
Although Germany lies, for the main part, north of the US-Canadian border and is nearer the Arctic Circle than the equator, the climate is moderate without extreme cold or hot periods. Most of Germany is situated in the moderately cool west wind zone with damp westerly winds from the North Sea. The climate in northwest and northern Germany is notably oceanic with rainfall all year round. The winters there are relatively mild and the summers comparatively cool. Eastern Germany has all the characteristics of a continental climate. There are often long cold periods in winter and the summers can be very warm. This region is also often affected by long periods of dry weather. Temperatures are at their highest in July and their lowest in January. Local differences in temperature and rainfall are commonplace. It rains more often to the west of the mountains in Germany than to the east. There are also islands of warm areas nested in the protective zones between the uplands, like the lowlands along the Upper Rhine. The lowlands of northern Germany have an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius in July. The sunnier areas of southern Germany reach average temperatures of 19.4 degrees Celsius.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online click here
U.S. citizens are allowed to stay in Germany for 90 days without a visa. For stays of more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa. For visa information, contact the German Consulate in Atlanta click here
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
Cottbus
Germany
Europe
Semester
17
12
English
For more info, contact OIE.